I don't think we've completely ignored the middle. We drafted LJ high and signed Canty to a huge contract. The depth at DT is what hurt. It's pretty much impossible to have good depth everywhere on the team though.

And I have no problem with that. I think you can get away with 3 good DTs on the roster. The problem is, right now we have 1 good DT in Joseph who's contract is coming up, an aging Canty who might get cut bc of his salary, and a bust draft pick in Marvin Austin.

We didn't do a good enough job of replenishing our rotation. Busts will hurt you and Marvin Austin hurt us in this situation.

And we just don't do a good job of drafting linebackers or identifying ones that should get drafted. Think about how many good linebackers we passed on in the draft for mediocre talent elsewhere.

Whatever the reason may be, I think this draft does need to focus on the middle of the defense. It just has to. Our depth in the middle is severely lacking.

Now if a great DE prospect is available, I'm all for it, bc I believe our pass rush is what makes our defense tick. If a supreme CB is available, fine, let's do it. Can never have too many of those.

But if neither are on the board, and there isn't a OLmen on the board who is BPA, then we better go after a LB or DT with our pick bc we desperately need them.

That's the thing though LB gets neglected cause there's and always will be higher priorities. Right now it's our lack of tackles, the coming transition at DE, replacing Corey and our aging and unspectacular OL. If equal prospects we need to fill those positions before we can grab a LB.

__________________
BK

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcheTen

JPP is a better and more productive player than Brandon Graham

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaddon41_80

Is Shaun Hill a top 10 QB? Definitely not. Is he a top 20 one? Almost certainly.

I completely agree with this, but unless we get a top pick LB, he'll be riding the bench the entire year.

The whole sit and learn for a year is great when we don't have holes to plug, but right now we have a ton.

I wish there was an Antonio Pierce we could sign to man the middle for us, but the options just aren't out there.

Thats why I'd be ok with a DE, CB or OL first round.

I think part of the reason why we had guys sit and learn is because we had the luxury to allow them that opportunity. For a long while we were one of the deeper teams in the league.

But we don't have that luxury in certain positions, and I think they would play more given our circumstances. Look at 07, our rookies had immediate impact bc we needed them to.

Also, you never draft a player for 1 year. Every player you draft has to be a long term decision. If LB is there and he's a great player, take him. Who cares if he sits a year, he'll start the next year.

Look at David Wilson. He sat this year. But he'll play significant minutes this coming season, and pretty much wipes RB off the board. Same with Randle. If we don't draft those 2 last year, RB and WR are needs this year. If we don't draft a LB bc we're afraid of him sitting, then it will always be a need and will never be solved bc we keep pushing it out of the picture.

I think part of the reason why we had guys sit and learn is because we had the luxury to allow them that opportunity. For a long while we were one of the deeper teams in the league.

But we don't have that luxury in certain positions, and I think they would play more given our circumstances. Look at 07, our rookies had immediate impact bc we needed them to.

Also, you never draft a player for 1 year. Every player you draft has to be a long term decision. If LB is there and he's a great player, take him. Who cares if he sits a year, he'll start the next year.

Look at David Wilson. He sat this year. But he'll play significant minutes this coming season, and pretty much wipes RB off the board. Same with Randle. If we don't draft those 2 last year, RB and WR are needs this year. If we don't draft a LB bc we're afraid of him sitting, then it will always be a need and will never be solved bc we keep pushing it out of the picture.

I'm not saying don't draft a LB, I'm saying don't draft a LB in the first. 07 Ross played, but only after a multitude of injuries, hell, we had RW playing back there for a while that year.

For the pub that draft class got, only Bradshaw and DeOssie are still on the team and one or both may be cut this offseason.

Wilson barely played this year even with 3 RBs down. I hate the pass protection excuse, I saw Bradshaw miss plenty of blocks and stay in.

I'm not saying don't draft a LB, I'm saying don't draft a LB in the first. 07 Ross played, but only after a multitude of injuries, hell, we had RW playing back there for a while that year.

For the pub that draft class got, only Bradshaw and DeOssie are still on the team and one or both may be cut this offseason.

Wilson barely played this year even with 3 RBs down. I hate the pass protection excuse, I saw Bradshaw miss plenty of blocks and stay in.

The average career in the NFL is like 3 years. I'm not surprised only 2 of them remain on the team. Bradshaw's career is almost over and he only played 5 years. Think about it.

I don't see the problem with taking a LB in the first if he's BPA. Why not? The only guy I see as a 1st round grade LB at the moment is Teo, and he might be available.

I still haven't figured out how I feel about Teo. I need to really sit down and look at him. I do remember when I was scouting last year, I was significantly more impressed with Keuchly vs Teo. But Luke was a beast. He was perfect.

Haha BBD, weren't you raving about our linebacker position before the start of the season?

That's something I never understood. I don't know how people look at our linebacker situation and thought we were stacked. I thought we had a bunch of average to below average players so for me this is not a shock after this season.

My philosophy is with linebackers: unless you're getting a stud LB don't bother drafting them in the first two rounds. Wasted pick that can be addressed later in the draft or via free agency. I truly believe a LB can only have so much of an impact.

Haha BBD, weren't you raving about our linebacker position before the start of the season?

That's something I never understood. I don't know how people look at our linebacker situation and thought we were stacked. I thought we had a bunch of average to below average players so for me this is not a shock after this season.

My philosophy is with linebackers: unless you're getting a stud LB don't bother drafting them in the first two rounds. Wasted pick that can be addressed later in the draft or via free agency. I truly believe a LB can only have so much of an impact.

I did think we had great depth but I was wrong. I was hoping Herzlich would pan out, but it's clear to me now that he's a career backup at best, Boley has regressed, and Paysinger is average. If Herzlich panned out I'd still feel good about it bc we'd have JWill and Herz as the future, but right now we just have JWill. That's it.

Ideally I want 2 linebackers but realistically I just want a middle linebacker, and I want JWill to start.

It sounds like some of these OL prospects are staying in college, which weakens the group. Will be interesting to see if a very good one falls to 19 anymore.

I'm really hoping Jordan or Ansah fall to 19 right now. I'm less confident in Ansah right now vs Jordan. Jordan would be a no brainer to me from what I've seen so far.

If we can go DE in round 1, LB in round 2, OT or OG round 3 and DT in round 4 I'd be a happy camper.

Ansah to me looks like the perfect Tuck replacement. He's supposed to have a great head on his shoulders, he's a powerful, long armed kid, with great understanding of how to use his hands. Would make a great LE opposite JPP who can kick inside in passing situations for Kiwi to come on.

__________________
BK

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcheTen

JPP is a better and more productive player than Brandon Graham

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaddon41_80

Is Shaun Hill a top 10 QB? Definitely not. Is he a top 20 one? Almost certainly.

Depends on what he weighs at the combine. I can easily see him get to 260 lbs. He's listed at 245 right now, but 260 would be so easy for him. He has no base, he just has to put mass on his lower body and he can easily get to 260, his frame can handle 270 but you want to keep him around 260 so he doesn't lose any speed.

If we drafted Jordan he'd probably play RE and we'd move JPP to LE long term.

Depends on what he weighs at the combine. I can easily see him get to 260 lbs. He's listed at 245 right now, but 260 would be so easy for him. He has no base, he just has to put mass on his lower body and he can easily get to 260, his frame can handle 270 but you want to keep him around 260 so he doesn't lose any speed.

If we drafted Jordan he'd probably play RE and we'd move JPP to LE long term.

I'd rather keep JPP at RE. He's much more effective on the right side, and we can find someone who plays LE in the draft.